This is a randomized, open label, active-comparator, parallel design, outpatient, multicenter study being conducted in Mexico. Subjects with early active Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) who have not received treatment with a Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) in the previous 6 months will be eligible for the study. Study subjects will be randomized into one of two treatments groups and receive either etanercept + methotrexate or standard non-biologic DMARD therapy.

Women of childbearing potential participating in the study must use a medically acceptable form of contraception.

Sexually active male must agree to use a medically accepted form of contraception during the study. If partner is using and acceptable form of contraception, this criteria is not applicable.

Subject is capable of understanding and signing an informed consent form

Subject is able and willing to self-inject study drug or have a designee who can do so

Subject is able and willing to take oral medication 11. Subject is able to store injectable test article at 2° C to 8° C 12. Demonstrates a negative tuberculosis screening test determined by chest

Exculsion Criteria:

Subject has received any previous treatment with ETN or other tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist

Subject has received any of the following DMARDs: methotrexate, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, cyclosporine, sulphasalazine, azathioprine, D-penicillamine, cyclophosphamide within the 6 months of screening visit by the rheumatologist

Subject has received any investigational drug within 3 months of screening visit by the rheumatologist

Subject has received any biologic agent in the past

Subject has received any live (attenuated) vaccines within 4 weeks of screening visit by the rheumatologist

Subject has received intra-articular corticosteroid injection within 4 weeks of screening visit by the rheumatologist

Subject has received bolus intramuscular/intravenous treatment with corticosteroids (>20 mg prednisone or equivalent) within 4 weeks of screening visit by the rheumatologist

Subject is taking > 10 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent within 4 weeks of screening visit by the rheumatologist

A history or active presence of any of the following items will prevent enrollment:

Significant concurrent medical diseases including cancer or a history of cancer Renal disease (creatinine level > 175 ?mol/L) History of drug abuse or psychiatric disease that would interfere with the subject's ability to comply with the requirements of this protocol.

History of alcohol abuse that would interfere with the subject's ability to comply with the requirements of this protocol.

History of known liver cirrhosis, fibrosis, or fatty liver History of any viral hepatitis within 1 year of screening

Active presence of the following will also prevent enrollment Subject has a significant active infection or any underlying diseases that could predispose subjects to infections according to the investigators criteria Demonstrates liver function abnormality through clinical significant hepatic enzymes results ( twice the upper limits of normal).

Subject has leucopoenia (white blood cells < 3500 x 106/L) Subject has thrombocytopenia (platelets < 125 x 109/L) Subject has a hemoglobin level of < 85 g/L Subject is scheduled for elective major surgery within the first year of study participation Pregnant or lactating women. Positive TB by PPD and abnormal chest ray

Subject has a history of confirmed blood dyscrasias12. Subject has any condition judged by the physician to cause this study to be detrimental to the subject.

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00783536